E.U. to Pressure Greek Cyprus for Peace as Well

Istanbul, TURKEY, November 12, 2003 – Turkey’s unprecedented request that the European Union (EU) also pressure Greek Cyprus, was affirmatively met, at the Turkey-E.U. troika meeting held in Rome yesterday.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Gul informed E.U. representatives that Turkey would start a new peace initiative following the December elections in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Gul had previously requested that, in order to reach a solution on the island, the Greek Cyprus side had to be convinced for reconciliation. Gul said E.U. representatives pledged support regarding the issue.